Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalms 72 is a powerful psalm that functions both as a prayer for an earthly king and a prophecy pointing towards the future reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It beautifully blends the immediate concerns of just governance with the eternal hope of a kingdom characterized by righteousness and peace. This psalm marks the end of Book Two of the Psalms and carries within it echoes of David's prayers, while its style resonates with the wisdom literature often attributed to Solomon.
A King's Reign of Righteousness (72:1-4)
The psalm begins with a fervent prayer that God would bestow justice and righteousness upon the king and his son, ensuring equitable judgment for all the people (Psalms 72:1-2). The psalmist implores God to equip the king to rule with fairness, particularly for the afflicted. The anticipated outcome is a land filled with peace and the alleviation of suffering (Psalms 72:3-4). This paints a picture of a king deeply concerned with the welfare of his people, a leader who prioritizes justice and compassion.
An Eternal Kingdom of Flourishing (72:5-7)
The psalmist expresses a deep longing for a kingdom where the people revere God perpetually. He envisions a king who brings life and vitality to the land, fostering an environment where the righteous flourish under his just rule. This transcends the immediate context of Solomon's reign and anticipates the coming of the Messiah, whose eternal kingdom will embody these very qualities. Only through the reign of Christ, beginning with His millennial kingdom, will these aspirations find their ultimate fulfillment.
Dominion to the Ends of the Earth (72:8-11)
The psalmist desires to see the king's dominion extend to the farthest reaches of the earth, with enemies humbled and paying homage (Psalms 72:8-9). The imagery of enemies "licking the dust" alludes to the curse upon the serpent in Genesis 3:14, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of evil and those who align themselves with it. In contrast, kings from around the world will bring tribute and bow before the king (Psalms 72:10-11). This is a prophetic glimpse of the future reign of Christ, when "the kings of the earth will bring their glory" into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24).
Justice and Blessing for All Nations (72:12-17)
The Messiah's universal reign will be distinguished by justice for the poor and oppressed, rescuing them from violence and affliction (Psalms 72:12-14). The psalm continues with prayers for the king and his people to be blessed and prosper (Psalms 72:15-16). Crucially, it extends this blessing to all nations, echoing God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). Indeed, through Jesus Christ, the "seed of Abraham," all who place their faith in Him are blessed with justification from sin (Galatians 3:7-9, 16).
A Concluding Doxology (72:18-20)
The psalm concludes with a powerful doxology, offering praise and blessing to the Lord God and praying that His glory would fill the entire earth (Psalms 72:18-19). This serves as a fitting end to Book Two of the Psalter. The final verse, mentioning the conclusion of David's prayers, highlights the connection between this psalm and the legacy of David's reign, while also pointing forward to the ultimate King whose reign will surpass all earthly rulers.
Psalms 72 is a testament to the enduring hope for a just and righteous ruler. While it may have initially been composed in relation to Solomon, its prophetic elements resonate deeply with the promise of the Messiah, whose kingdom will ultimately fulfill the longings for peace, justice, and blessing for all the nations of the earth. This psalm invites us to pray for our leaders, to seek justice in our own lives, and to anticipate the glorious return of Christ, the King of Kings.
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalms 72 is a powerful psalm that functions both as a prayer for an earthly king and a prophecy pointing towards the future reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It beautifully blends the immediate concerns of just governance with the eternal hope of a kingdom characterized by righteousness and peace. This psalm marks the end of Book Two of the Psalms and carries within it echoes of David's prayers, while its style resonates with the wisdom literature often attributed to Solomon.
A King's Reign of Righteousness (72:1-4)
The psalm begins with a fervent prayer that God would bestow justice and righteousness upon the king and his son, ensuring equitable judgment for all the people (Psalms 72:1-2). The psalmist implores God to equip the king to rule with fairness, particularly for the afflicted. The anticipated outcome is a land filled with peace and the alleviation of suffering (Psalms 72:3-4). This paints a picture of a king deeply concerned with the welfare of his people, a leader who prioritizes justice and compassion.
An Eternal Kingdom of Flourishing (72:5-7)
The psalmist expresses a deep longing for a kingdom where the people revere God perpetually. He envisions a king who brings life and vitality to the land, fostering an environment where the righteous flourish under his just rule. This transcends the immediate context of Solomon's reign and anticipates the coming of the Messiah, whose eternal kingdom will embody these very qualities. Only through the reign of Christ, beginning with His millennial kingdom, will these aspirations find their ultimate fulfillment.
Dominion to the Ends of the Earth (72:8-11)
The psalmist desires to see the king's dominion extend to the farthest reaches of the earth, with enemies humbled and paying homage (Psalms 72:8-9). The imagery of enemies "licking the dust" alludes to the curse upon the serpent in Genesis 3:14, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of evil and those who align themselves with it. In contrast, kings from around the world will bring tribute and bow before the king (Psalms 72:10-11). This is a prophetic glimpse of the future reign of Christ, when "the kings of the earth will bring their glory" into the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:24).
Justice and Blessing for All Nations (72:12-17)
The Messiah's universal reign will be distinguished by justice for the poor and oppressed, rescuing them from violence and affliction (Psalms 72:12-14). The psalm continues with prayers for the king and his people to be blessed and prosper (Psalms 72:15-16). Crucially, it extends this blessing to all nations, echoing God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). Indeed, through Jesus Christ, the "seed of Abraham," all who place their faith in Him are blessed with justification from sin (Galatians 3:7-9, 16).
A Concluding Doxology (72:18-20)
The psalm concludes with a powerful doxology, offering praise and blessing to the Lord God and praying that His glory would fill the entire earth (Psalms 72:18-19). This serves as a fitting end to Book Two of the Psalter. The final verse, mentioning the conclusion of David's prayers, highlights the connection between this psalm and the legacy of David's reign, while also pointing forward to the ultimate King whose reign will surpass all earthly rulers.
Psalms 72 is a testament to the enduring hope for a just and righteous ruler. While it may have initially been composed in relation to Solomon, its prophetic elements resonate deeply with the promise of the Messiah, whose kingdom will ultimately fulfill the longings for peace, justice, and blessing for all the nations of the earth. This psalm invites us to pray for our leaders, to seek justice in our own lives, and to anticipate the glorious return of Christ, the King of Kings.